Central Arkansas Water has entered into a contract to purchase the remaining 41 acres of a 956-acre tract within the Lake Maumelle watershed.
The agency acquired the majority of the tract -- 915 acres -- in 2009, but at that time the owner wanted to retain a 41.2-acre portion along Higginbotham Lane. The property is commonly referred to as the Winrock Grass Farm.
The 41.2 acres were appraised at $450,000 in May and Central Arkansas Water entered into an agreement to purchase the property for $401,700 plus seller's closing costs, which are not to exceed $25,000. The agency's Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase Thursday.
"We have developed a land use plan with a number of potential development scenarios," Chief Executive Officer Graham Rich said of the watershed. Because the 41.2-acre tract is at a higher elevation, has good access, water and power, Rich said, "if we are going to put some type of structure where we have people in and out, this will be an ideal place to place that."
Exxon Mobil's Pegasus pipeline runs through the tract. The pipeline ruptured in Mayflower in March 2013.
Since Lake Maumelle is the primary water source for 400,000 people, water utility officials have said it would be a serious issue if the pipeline were to spill oil in the watershed. Acquiring this additional 41.2 acres allows Central Arkansas Water another access point to the pipeline in the event of any problem, Rich said.
Metro on 08/15/2014